Nigeria’s federal government has abolished the long-standing practice of placing civil servants on mandatory leave three months before their retirement date, a move officials say is intended to improve workforce efficiency and ensure consistency across the public service.
Under the new directive, public servants approaching retirement will remain in active service until their official exit date, except in cases where they are granted leave under existing regulations or required to attend approved pre-retirement programmes.
Government authorities clarified that the three-month period before retirement was originally designed as a notification and administrative preparation window rather than an entitlement to stop working. The clarification seeks to address varying interpretations of retirement procedures across ministries, departments, and agencies.
Officials argue that retaining experienced personnel until the end of their service will help reduce operational gaps and improve knowledge transfer within government institutions. The change is also expected to strengthen continuity in public administration by ensuring that skilled employees remain available to support ongoing projects and mentor younger officers.
The policy has generated discussion among workers and labour observers. Supporters view it as a practical step toward improving productivity in the civil service, while others say its success will depend on how effectively retirement planning and pension processing are managed.
The decision forms part of broader efforts to modernize Nigeria’s public sector and streamline administrative procedures as the government seeks greater efficiency in service delivery.
